About The Author

Matthias Gaige

Matthias Gaige is a contributing writer for Pro Tool Reviews.

Masonry & Concrete Tool Reviews & Buying Guides September 5, 2011 0

Porter Cable PC60TCTAG 4-1/2 Inch Cut-Off Tool and Angle Grinder Kit Review

The Porter Cable PC60TCTAG 4-1/2 Inch Cut-Off Tool and Angle Grinder Kit comes equipped to tackle just about any grinding or metal cutting project you can throw at it. Given that two different blade guards are included, one that is optimized for grinding and the other one for cutting, you can be sure that not only can to complete the task at hand but also do it safely. Just to sweetened the deal and get you started on your projects they threw in 5 general purpose grinding wheels and 5 cut off wheels in the box! With 6 amps of power, a compact size and a rock bottom price, we are pretty sure that this is angle grinder combo pack is a winner.

Levels, Squares & Measuring Tool Reviews & Buying Guides September 4, 2011 0

Johnson Level 1812-0025 Stud-Squared Review

The Johnson Level 1812-0025 Stud-Squared is the love-child offspring between a tape measure and a square. The general idea is that you can use the tape to both measure and mark a straight line on dimensional lumber with relative ease. No more making your mark and then looking for a square or straight edge to complete the perpendicular cutting line. Without even having to extend the marking ruler, you can scribe across a regular 2×4 since it shares the same width.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Review

Tool Reviews May 18, 2011 0

Milwaukee Heated Jacket Review

The new Milwaukee 58-38-2011 M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Kit features a water and wind resistant outer soft shell and there are sewn-in carbon fiber heating zones that will ensure that you stay comfortably warm in cold weather. The heat can stay on continuously for up to 6 hours and power for the heating zones comes from a M12 Red Lithium battery that fits inside a small pocket that is located out of the way. This jacket looks great and was comfortable to wear all day long, both on and off the job site. a great addition to the M12 line of tools. It is also demonstrated to us that it is very versatile in a variety of weather conditions thanks to the three built in heating zones and its overall wind and water resistant properties.

Carpentry Tool Reviews & Buying Guides April 18, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PC85TRSOK Tiger Saw Review

The Porter-Cable PC85TRSOK 8.5Amp Orbital Reciprocating Tiger Saw comes ready to cut or rip through just about anything thanks to its ability to switch from reciprocating to full orbital action. Many tradesman might remember the original Tiger-Saw and know that it was a tool to be reckoned with. The big question for us now is if this new lightweight model can live up to its predecessors. Things like an adjustable shoe and a powerful motor are a good start for sure. At first glance this tool seems to be a great bargain because it is high on features and low on price, but before we can recommend this new breed of Tiger Saw we have to spend a little quality time with it just to see how tamed (or rather untamed) it is.

Carpentry Tool Reviews & Buying Guides March 30, 2011 0

Maxtech 50204MX Spade-Max Pro Spade Bit Set Review

On first glance the Maxtech 50204MX & 51643MX Spade-Max Pro Spade Bit Sets might appear to be run of the mill spade bits, but upon closer inspection there are some key differences. Using these bits makes drilling medium sized holes a breeze thanks to a steep rake angle on the leading cutting edge that provides a faster and cleaner cut. With the steep angle, the bit acts more like a chisel as it cuts its way into the wood, in fact it quickly chips out chunks of wood. Now the thing to notice is that with the outside tips cutting before the flat part of the cutting blades, when you get to the backside of your board, you get a cleaner hole and less splintering. The whole idea of spades bits is for quickly boring through wood so speed is definitely of the essence and these bits deliver that. The slightly less expensive 9-piece set includes a 1/4″ hex drive Load N’ Drive quick connect collet that is super compact and has a spring loaded bit-eject mechanism. With 1/4″ quick connect hex shanks and a rust resistant black oxide coating, we suspect that if you pick up a set of these you will not be disappointed.

Tool Reviews March 16, 2011 0

SOG GSP-21 Green Handle SOGzilla Knife Review

The SOG GSP-21 Green Handle SOGzilla folding pocket knife has a quality stainless steel blade that won’t lose its edge very easily and it weighs only 4.8oz. While it is a large sized knife with a total open length a little more then 8-1/2 inches long, it managed to keep the weight off by having its widest section be only 3/8 of an inch thick. With its thin profile, it carries very well and discreetly with the bayonet style pocket clip making it perfect for every day carry. At 3.8″ long, the blade is a big-bodied modified sheepsfoot and curves in such a way that as to put the blade and handle in a nice arch shape when open. The SOGzilla is also available with a serrated edge or straight edge, of which we received the straight edge for this review. We actually prefer this style better for its long term use because of how easy it is to resharpen the blade (over the serrated style). While the SOG GSP-21 SOGzilla is a design that might not be for everyone, we found that even given its large size, it makes for a good choice for an everyday carry.

Tool Reviews March 8, 2011 0

Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver Review

Removing or driving fasteners in cramped spaces is easy with the new Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver thanks to its compact head size of only 3-1/2″ and 700 in-lb of torque. This handy tool comes with lithium-ion battery power, a variable-speed trigger, 1/4″ hex quick chuck and a compact size that will surely make it one of the go-to tools in your collection. The engineers at Craftsman did a fantastic job of combining the functionality of a right angle drill with an impact driver. The Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver represents what might be an industry first with their design and from what we can tell, they engineered a great tool. This impact driver proved to be very versatile when working in cramped spaces and for some projects it’s a must.

DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit Review

Carpentry Tool Reviews & Buying Guides January 20, 2011 0

DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Kit Review

DeWalt brings compact routers to a new level with the new DWP611PK 1.25 HP Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit. Since it comes with both a fixed and plunge base you will be happy with its versatility. Don’t for a moment think that its compact size means that features and power were sacrificed either. We were surprised to learn that this pint sized router packs a punch and does a fantastic job at a wide variety of router tasks. At the end of the day we concluded this is a great woodworking tool.

Tool Reviews January 6, 2011 0

Porter Cable PCL120CRC-2 12V Cordless Pivoting Reciprocating Saw Review

When working in some situations large corded or 18V reciprocating saws sometimes are just too bulky to fit in tight places while […]

Tool Reviews December 14, 2010 0

Porter-Cable PCL212IDC-2 12V Max Cordless Compact 2-Tool Kit Review

If you’re looking for a compact yet powerful and versatile impact driver and drill/driver, the Porter-Cable PCL212IDC-2 12V Max Lithium Cordless Compact 2-Tool Kit is all you need. It is a small, powerful, and handy kit that can tackle almost any project that requires drilling, driving, or the need for being able to work in a cramped area. With 950in-lbs of driving torque, the impact driver can tackle almost any job. The drill/driver with a 3/8″ chuck, variable 2 speed transmission, and a clutch with 20 positions, will have you covered for all your drilling needs.